This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jul/26/per-mertesacker-arsenal-arsene-wenger-injured-mls

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Arsène Wenger confirms Per Mertesacker is out of action for months Arsène Wenger confirms Arsenal’s Per Mertesacker is out for months
(35 minutes later)
Arsène Wenger has revealed Per Mertesacker will be out of action for “a few months” with a knee injury.Arsène Wenger has revealed Per Mertesacker will be out of action for “a few months” with a knee injury.
The centre-half suffered the problem during the friendly against Lens on Friday and was left out of Arsenal’s tour of the United States. There were reports the injury would rule out the 31-year-old for up to five months but Wenger could only confirm his defender, who was likely to be Arsenal’s new captain for the season, will miss a sizeable period of their Premier League campaign that starts against Liverpool at the Emirates on 14 August.The centre-half suffered the problem during the friendly against Lens on Friday and was left out of Arsenal’s tour of the United States. There were reports the injury would rule out the 31-year-old for up to five months but Wenger could only confirm his defender, who was likely to be Arsenal’s new captain for the season, will miss a sizeable period of their Premier League campaign that starts against Liverpool at the Emirates on 14 August.
Related: Arsenal’s £29m offer for Alexandre Lacazette rejected by LyonRelated: Arsenal’s £29m offer for Alexandre Lacazette rejected by Lyon
Speaking during a press conference before the club’s friendly against the MLS All Stars, Wenger confirmed Mertesacker would miss a “few months” of action. Mertesacker’s injury leaves Wenger short at the back with Laurent Koscielny being handed an extended break after Euro 2016 and Gabriel Paulista currently struggling with tonsilitis. Calum Chambers and the new signing Rob Holding could start in the centre of defence when Arsenal play a side featuring Kaka, Didier Drogba, Andrea Pirlo and Clint Dempsey on Friday at the Avaya Stadium, the home of the San Jose Earthquakes based in California. Speaking during a press conference before the club’s friendly against the MLS All Stars, Wenger confirmed Mertesacker would miss a “few months” of action. Mertesacker’s injury leaves Wenger short in defence. Laurent Koscielny has been given an extended break after Euro 2016 and Gabriel Paulista currently is struggling with tonsilitis. Calum Chambers and the new signing Rob Holding could start in the centre of defence when Arsenal play a side featuring Kaká, Didier Drogba, Andrea Pirlo and Clint Dempsey on Friday at the Avaya Stadium, the home of the San Jose Earthquakes.